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:: Amphoe Doem Bang Nang Buat
Bueng Chawak
Bueng Chawak was originally a part of Tha Chin River. After
a period of times, a part or the river branched off to form a crescent
shaped lake tht took up some areas of Doem Bang Nang Buat district,
Suphan Buri province, and Hankha district, Chai Nat province. In
1994, the Suphan Buri Provincial Authority and H.E.Mr.Banharn Silpa-archa,
the Prime Minister, and various sectors, public and private. Initiated
the Bueng Chawak Chalerm Phra Kiet Development Project to celebrate
His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej's on his 50th Year Accession
to the Throne.
The lake was excavated to dam up 10 million cubic meters of freshwater
to irrigate 6,500 rais (10,400,000 sq m.) of agricultural land.
The surrounding areas were developed into other projects such as
the Wildlife Extension Center (Department of Livestock Development),
a garden of indigenous vegetables, and an exhibition center for
aquatic animals.
Wildlife Extension Center Bung Chawak
Tourist Information Center Service : The center offers
information on breeding and caring many kinds of wildlife, as well
as bird watching. In the large aviary connected to the building,
many kinds of birds are housed for visitors to observe and study
them. In addition, a video room is provided to display films and
slides on wildlife plus narration about the origin of the center.
Aviary : This 5 rai (8,000 sq m.). 25-meter high aviary
houses a menagerie of birds. The interior of the aviary is made
to provide a living condition that closely resembles their authentic
natural surroundings. There are 45 species of birds and pheasants
that include Green Pea fowls, Grey Peacock Pheasants. Red Jungle
fowls, Silver Pheasants, Siamese Firebacks, Crested Firebacks, Alexandrine
Parakeets, Cockatoos, Spot-billed Ducks, Sarus Cranes, Painted Storks,
and Asian Openbills.
Rare Animals Breeding Enclosures :
1. Tigers and Lions zones are located next to each other, Inside,
the large banister is arranged with caves and high rocky hills to
resemble their natural surroundings, Other species nearby panthers,
clouded leopards, and leopard cats.
2. The wading birds aviary was constructed to house many types of
wading bird for study purposes, as well as for bird watching including
Sarus Cranes, Pelicans, Coot, and White-winged Ducks.
3. Pheasants and rare birds zone house rare and near extinct pheasants
and birds such as Green Peafowls, Silver Pheasants, Siamese Firebacks,
and Hornbills.
4. Other rare animals located nearby are ostriches, camels, and
zebras.
The Wildlife Extension Center
Tel : 0 3543-9206 / 0 3543-9210
Fax : 0 3543-9210
The Garden for Indigenous Vegetables : The Garden was established
by the Department of Agricultural Promotion under the umbrella of
Ministry of Agriculture aiming to educate people about the importance
of indigenous vegetables and their significant values to Thailand.
Many types of vegetables were collected from all parts of Thailand,
so the Thai public could study the process of planting, propagation,
consumption, and their nutritious value.
The garden is located on a beautiful landscape. Numerous items
on indigenous vegetables are available at the kiosk and library.
They hydroponics (planting without soil) agriculture of more than
500 types of vegetables is demonstrated at the Garden. Seeds of
many cultivars are also available for sale.
The Garden of Indigenous Vegetables : 102 M.9 Doem Bang,
Doem Bang Nang Buat District, Suphan Buri 72120 Tel : 0 1948 9214,
0 9836 1358 Fax : 0 3543 9523
The Garden runs tours 4 times a day :
Morning from 10.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m.
Afternoon from 2.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m.
General visit is everyday from : 8.30 a.m.- 6.00 p.m.
The Exhibition Center for Aquatic Animals (Department of Fisheries)
was constructed under the Bueng Chawak Royal Development Project
to celebrate His Majesty the King's 50 Year Accession to the Throne.
The construction was commenced on 19 July 1996, and opened to public
in February 1998. The aim of this construction is to provide a state
of the art center for behavioral study of Important aquatic animals
for academics, students, as well as the general public. The attractions
of the center as follow :
1. Aquatic Animals Exhibition Building 1 was built to host and
exhibit numerous interesting aquatic animals. In this section, there
are more than 50 species aquatic animals, both native and foreign,
as well as exotic fishes. Some of the species on display are the
Mekong Giant Catfish, Siamese Tiger fish. Many interesting rare
fishes from other parts of the world such as the Amazon Tiger Shovelnose
Catfish, and Amazon Red-tailed Catfish are also shown for visitors
to acquire first-hand knowledge on the ecological system. In addition
to the aquatic species mentioned above, marine creatures like Schooling
Bannerfish, Blue-spotted Ray, Niger Triggerfish, Nurse sharks, and
Thorny Sea Horses are also on display.
2. Aquatic Animals Exhibition Building 2 was constructed subsequently
when the original building became too small since it could only
keep 50 aquatic species, which left no room for expansion, H.E.Mr.Banharn
Silpa-archa, thus commissioned the construction of Building 2 to
be located nearby. Inside the Building, there is a large 400 cubic
meter circular aquarium that all visitors can walk around and observe
the fishes from all directions. There is an 8.5 meter walk through
tunnel, the first of its kind in Thailand, where all visitors can
view a numerous aquariums, 30 containers of show-cased freshwater
fishes and 7 tanks of beautiful seawater fishes are also displayed
in the building.
3. Crocodile Pool was built to provide a natural surrounding and
living quarters for these large prehistoric reptiles. The 3 rai
(4,800 sq m.) of land comprises a large pool and a dry area with
planted trees to provide a home for 80 Siamese Crocodiles with sizes
ranging from 1.5 to 4 meters in length.
The Exhibition Center for Aquatic Animals is opened everyday.
Fees are 30 baht for adults and 10 baht for children.
Opening hours are :
Monday-Friday 10.00 a.m.-05.00 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday 09.00 a.m.-06.00 p.m.
:: Amphoe Don Chedi
Don Chedi Monument
This is located at Amphoe Don Chedi, 31 kilometres from
the township area. The pagoda was constructed by the royal command
of King Naresuan the Great to commemorate his victory against King
Maha Uparacha of Burma in single-handed elephant back combat in
1592. A cast statue of King Naresuan the Great mounting the elephant's
neck was placed in front of the pagoda.
:: Amphoe Muang
Tha Sadet Bird Sanctuary
This is 15 kilometres from the town along the Suphan Buri-Don Chedi
Route (Highway No. 322). Some birds can be viewed during the day
time while a tremendous number of birds such as open-billed stork,
heron, cormorants, painted storks, night heron, and white ibises
can be seen in the evening when they return home.
Wat Phra Non
This is a popular attraction where visitors come to pay
homage to a reclining Buddha image and also feed a large shoal of
fish in the river by the temple.
Banharn - Jamsai Tower
Located in the downtown area on Nang Phim Road, this country's
first and highest view point tower overlooking Chaloem Phatthara
Rachini Park allows tourists to enjoy a bird's eye view over the
province at a height of 123.25 metres. The tower has four view point
decks, including ticketing and souvenirs, snack bar and park view
souvenir and downtown viewpoint decks, and the fourth panoramic
viewpoint deck is at a height of 78.75 metres. Telescopes are available
on the decks. The interior is decorated with murals featuring King
Naresuan the Great.
City Pillar Shrine
This is located on the west bank of the Suphan Buri River.
Originally it was built in Thai style architecture but later altered
to a Chinese pavilion design. The shrine houses statues of the god
Vishnu carved out of green stone.
Handicraft Promotion Centre
This is located at Tambon Don Kamyan on Malaiman road about
8 kilometres from Amphoe U Thong. It has been established to promote
the support of cottage and handicraft industries in Suphan Buri
and other nearby provinces in the western region. Many fine handicrafts
are on display and on sale.
Thai Rice Farmers National Museum
This is located on Phraphanwasa Road in front of the city hall.
Opened in August 1994 and dedicated to the history and study of
rice farming, exhibits include tools of the trade, the many rites
surrounding it, and the historical role of royalty in rice farming.
The museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday and close on Monday,
Tuesday and National Holiday. Admission is free.
Wat Khae
This old temple is mentioned in the Khun Chang-Khun Phaen
literature. It houses a very old gigantic tamarind tree and ancient
Thai-style houses called Khum Khun Phaen. The temple is 2 kilometres
beyond Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat.
Wat Pa Lelai
This is a very old temple located on the west bank of the
river on Malaimaen Road in the town. It is believed to have been
built some 800 years ago when Suphan Buri was a prosperous community.
A huge sitting Buddha image named "Luang Pho To", 23 metres
in height, is enshrined in the main chapel. The image was originally
situated in the open area and was later covered by the chapel. Worship
fairs celebrating the image are held twice a year in April and November.
In addition, an old Thai style house called Khum Khun Chang has
been built in the temple compound. The design of the construction
has followed the description in Khun Chang-Khun Phan, a classic
Thai poem which is a work of Sunthon Phu, the greatest poet of Thailand
during the early Bangkok period.
Wat Phra Rup
This temple is located on Khun Chang Road on the west bank
of the Tha Chin River opposite the towns market. Also built during
the early Ayutthaya period, the temple houses a 13-metre long reclining
Buddha image called by the villagers Nen Kaeo with the most beatific
face among all other statues of the same period. There is also Lord
Buddha's footprint made of wood, the only one existing in Thailand.
Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat
This temple is at Tambon Rua Yai on the west bank of the
Suphan Buri River in the town. Locally called Wat Phrathat, it was
constructed during the early Ayutthaya period, over 600 years ago,
and houses a large U Thong style pagoda with Lord Buddha's relics.
Wat Sanam Chai
This is an abandoned temple on the east bank of the Suphan
Buri River in the town. Only ruins of a large pagoda are left to
be seen. It is estimated that its height should be 70-80 metres
if it were in perfect shape. After the excavation, some human relics
were found, and it was assumed that they should belong to warriors
who died on the battlefield in ancient times.
Wat Suwannaphum
This temple of the early Ayutthaya period is located opposite
the City Hall. There is a museum which stores ancient artifacts
such as bowls and cups, vases, Buddha images of various periods,
clocks and weapons.
:: Amphoe Si Prachan
Buffalo Village
The Buffalo Village is situated on Suphan Buri-Chai Nat
Road, Amphoe Si Prachan. This tourist attraction wishes to pay tribute
to this particular aspect of Thai culture and history and inspire
the public to appreciate this cute beast and its mighty contribution
to Thailand in the past. Interesting places in the compound are
Farmer Village, His Majesty the Kings New Theory on Managing Agricultural
Land Project and Thai-Style Teak Wood Houses. For more information,
contact Buffalo Village at tel: 0-3558-2591-3, fax: 0-3558-1676
or visit www.buffalovillages.com.
:: Amphoe Song Phi Nong
Wat Phai Rong Wua
This temple is located at Tambon Bang Ta Then, Amphoe Song Phi
Nong, 43 kilometres from the town on the way to Bangkok. It houses
the largest metal cast Buddha image of the world called Phra Phutthakhodom,
which has a lap width of 10 metres and a height of 26 metres.
:: Amphoe U Thong
U Thong National Museum
About 30 kilometres to the east of the town near the Chorakhe
Sam Phan River, U Thong was once a prosperous town during the Dvaravati
period before Ayutthaya was founded as the capital in 1347. The
U Thong National Museum in the U Thong district exhibits artifacts
and archaeological materials, such as tools, utensils, and Buddha
images found from excavations and shows the development of communities
settled in Suphan Buri in different periods.
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